KUALA LUMPUR: The Parliamentary Services Bill is nearing completion, the Dewan Rakyat was told today (March 13).
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Law and Institutional Reform) Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said several engagements with stakeholders had been held last year and this year.
These involved the Dewan Rakyat speaker, the Dewan Negara president, the secretaries of both Houses, the Public Services Commission, the Public Service Department, the Finance Ministry, the Attorney-General's Chambers and the Legal Affairs Division in the Prime Minister's Department.
"These engagements aimed to finalise the policy.
"So, the answer here is the act is 90 per cent ready. The draft is also ready, and is just waiting for the right time," she said in reply to a question from Chow Yu Hui (PH-Raub).
He wanted to know the government's roadmap and timeline for the legislation.
Azalina also suggested that the bill be tabled at the same time as amendments to the Federal Constitution on citizenship, to ensure it gets sufficient votes.
"I am confident that all 222 members of parliament will support the law as it benefits not just the people but all of us (MPs)."
Azalina said the previous Parliamentary Services Act was repealed in 1992.
"At that time, it was felt that Parliament should not be too vocal. This time we hope that it will be more vocal.
"The law is also to increase the confidence of the people in the integrity of Parliament in carrying out its responsibilities."